Polmans’ streak ends in Brisbane final

Marc Polmans has been unsuccessful in his bid for consecutive Pro Tour titles, going down to American Jarmere Jenkins in Sunday's Brisbane final.

Brisbane QLD, Australia, 2 October 2016 | David Packman

Marc Polmans has been denied a second consecutive Pro Tour title after falling to a resurgent Jarmere Jenkins in the Brisbane QTC International final on Sunday.

The American came out sharply, stunning the teenage Victorian with his clean ball-striking and powerful serve to take the first set in 34 minutes. While Polmans, the second seed, found his way back into the match, he was unable to capitalise on the opportunities he created, eventually bowing out 6-1 7-5.

Perhaps fittingly, Jenkins ended the match with three consecutive aces and an unplayable serve from 0-30.

The loss reverses the result from last week’s Pro Tour final in Alice Springs, where Polmans was victorious in three close sets.

“Jarmere definitely stepped up his game from last week,” Polmans said of the unseeded former world No.202. “I had my chances in the second set. There were a few points here and there which may have turned that around but hats off to him, you’ve just sometimes got to say ‘too good’ I guess.

“I’m definitely disappointed,” he added. “But overall, I’m still happy. Of course, I would have preferred to have come away with the title, but that’s OK, there’s always next week.”

The finals berth will catapult Polmans into the world’s top 300 for the first time in his career, extending a period since June this year where he has made eight ITF Futures finals, winning three.

“It’s just a matter of staying consistent and working hard,” he said. “It will keep paying off as long as I keep working.”

It was also an impressive week for rising youngsters Alex De Minaur and Max Purcell, the latter ousting top seed Luke Saville 6-2 6-1 in a quarterfinal before falling to Jenkins. For De Minaur, he took care of third seed Dayne Kelly before pushing Polmans to three sets in their semifinal.

In doubles action, the title was taken out by second seeds Dayne Kelly and Bradley Mousley, straight set winners over Harry Bourchier and James Frawley on Thursday.